MALAYSIA will continue to serve as a “transit nation” for Rohingya fleeing persecution in Myanmar.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said the government would work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to keep track of them.
He said as Malaysia was bracing for an influx of Rohingya seeking refuge, it was concerned about the possibility of insurgents from Rakhine State infiltrating Malaysia.
“Malaysia will continue to cooperate with UNHCR to receive refugees. However, we are also concerned that with the rise of militants in Myanmar, Malaysia could be turned into a place where they train and develop their network.
“The police are putting in place a digital identification and biometric system for refugees via the new Tracking Refugee Information System.
“This (aside from the UNHCR-issued refugee card) will allow the government access to updated and extensive data on refugees in the country.”
He said the system would enable law enforcers to detect transnational crimes, terrorist and human trafficking activities.
He said the system was part of the “Proof of Concept (POC)” programme that would also enable the government to obtain information and the biometric data of refugees and asylum seekers in the UNHCR database.
The government had set a
Sept 30 deadline for 150,000 UNHCR refugees to be registered and issued the MyRC identity card, which has 21 security features.
Nur Jazlan said with the card, refugees would not have to worry about their status as they would be recognised by Malaysia.
However, until early last month, only 300 had applied.
According to official records, there are 45,000 Rohingya UNHCR cardholders. Reports, however, have put the number at more than 100,000.
Rakhine was again enveloped in violence on Aug 25, reportedly after hundreds of men, said to be from the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, allegedly ambushed a Myanmar police post.
Malaysia, one of Myanmar’s closest neighbours, has seen a steady increase in the arrival of Rohingya migrants.
Last week, thousands of Rohingnya flooded Kuala Lumpur city centre on Merdeka eve to protest against the Myanmar government over the violence that had cost the lives of hundreds of Rohingya in the past weeks.
Police arrested 44 Rohingya outside the Myanmar embassy in Kuala Lumpur.